Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Election '08: CSUN students look to President-Elect Obama
http://m00m0000.blogspot.com/
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Nice story! I liked the quotes and all the different opinions! There were so many factors to consider in this year's election. Good stuff.
Apple or Vista Guide
http://pacificislanderguide.blogspot.com/
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Nice article Patrick! I know its hard to choose because I like the two click or right click option on PCs but Apples never get viruses! Good work. Thanks.
Soccer Fantasy Sports
http://travisopinions.blogspot.com/
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Great story! I love fantasy sports. I liked it how you did a story on soccer/football fantasy sports and not basketball or american footbal. Maybe I'll try it next year. Well written and informative. Thanks.
Election '08: New Voters
Reading a copy of the day’s newspaper, the young man waits in anticipation. The nervousness of voting for the first time is overwhelming him as he looks for any last minute information on the presidential election and propositions in California. He has been in line for over an hour, but he has been waiting years to vote. Taking a few steps forward, Sergio Ingco moves closer to the polling station.
After missing the previous presidential election, millions are expected to join Ingco and vote for the first time. Feeling compelled to vote because of the economic crisis and numerous issues in the ballot, Ingco knew he was ready.
“I didn’t vote before because I really didn’t care,” Ingco said, a student at California State University, Northridge. “I was old enough but now I feel like I need to be more responsible. Especially with everything going on, I think everyone wants a change and the best way to do that is vote.”
According to Los Angeles county registrar-recorder Dean Logan, registration reached an all-time high in October at 4.3 million in the nation’s largest single voting district. About 3.9 million were registered to vote in the 2002 presidential election, with 79.1% voting. More than eighty percent of the county is expected to vote in this year’s election.
Logan added voters already broke a record with a 14% turnout in early ballots. Mail-in ballots and early in-person voting set records at the Norwalk Registrar’s Offices and at a drive-thru voting location set up at the Santa Ana Registrar Office.
“Personally, I would rather vote by mail than stand in line for hours,” Damon Houston said, a singer from Northridge, Calif. “There are so many people voting now too because of all the heated issues, I think I’ll save my time, especially when so many people are eager to speak their views.”
According to the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials, more than 40% of registered voters are expected to vote by mail. Although, people’s passion for certain propositions may be one of the key reasons there has been an increase in registered voters. California’s ballot has various controversial issues affecting people from all walks of life. Many came to polling stations early with chairs and other supplies, ready to vote, and express their mind with fellow voters.
For Houston though, his reason to vote was for Proposition 8 and the presidential election. He felt close to the issue of same-sex marriage so there was no doubt he had to register to vote for the first time.
“I really believe marriage should be between two individuals who love and care for each other,” Houston said. “Why should it be based on the Bible or whatever outdated tradition carried on by people who can’t think differently?”
Proposition 8, among others, have brought much attention to California. Other propositions receiving interest deal with energy, crime, children, and even, farm animals. But after a court ruling allowed for people of the same sex marriage to marry in California, many people felt their rights were violated.
“I don’t understand how you can give someone the ability to marry, make it a legal union, and then, only a few months later, take it away,” Easel Vallamay said, a nurse from Reseda and first time voter. “It’s dumb, places just aren’t ready for change…hopefully they’ll be ready for a new president.”
Strong feelings for the issues and presidential candidates have caused heated debates between family members to complete strangers. But that may be a sign for things to come.
“You do see everyone getting involved and having an opinion and voice,” Vallamay said. “Even though people may not all be voting the same way, people are actually thinking and working toward improving the future.”
How to Play Beer Pong
Holding the white table tennis ball, the young lady stares at the red Dixie cups. The effects of alcohol are affecting her aim, making it difficult for her to throw the little ball in such a little space. She regains her composure, and launches the ball in the air where it lands softly into the cup of beer. The yells from spectators in the backyard fall and her opponent reluctantly takes the ball out and drinks the cup of beer.
A normal night of beer pong at Patrick Rezzo’s fraternity house he thought.
“Everyone comes by, sometimes in the afternoon, and we start playing,” Rezzo said. “It’s a lot of fun, everyone drinks, everyone plays, and we have a good time.”
Beer pong has stormed college parties and fraternity houses across the nation. With no official rules, beer pong, has become a popular way to have fun and drink alcohol. Known as Beirut among some circles, beer pong leagues have been set up in several cities and a World Series event is even held in Las Vegas, NV.
According to the World Series of Beer Pong, the regulation size of the playing surface is eight feet by two feet, but any flat surface will do. The game is normally played by two teams of two people with one or two table tennis balls and Dixie cups filled with beer a third to half the way. Games are played with six or ten cups for each team which are formed into a triangle at each end of the table, similar to how bowling pins are set up. An additional cup of water for each team is typically used to dip the ball before throwing it.
“Make sure the cup of water is used, no one wants to drink a dirty beer,” Rezzo said. “Especially when you use a regular piece of wood like we us.”
To choose which team goes first, players stare at each other while taking turns throwing the ball. The first to sink one wins. Teams then take turns trying to throw the tennis table balls into the cups. Each member has one chance to throw per turn. The ball can be lobbed and bounced in, depending on the rules. If the ball is lobbed in, one cup of beer is drunk. If it is bounced in, two cups are drunk. A rule some follow is if the throwing team is trying to bounce one in, the opposing team has the chance to swat it away.
When a ball falls in a cup, the team who owns the cup must drink it. The remaining cups can stay in place or be rearranged to form a smaller diamond, triangle, or line. Two changes are generally allowed. The team that drinks all of their cups first loses and has to drink the opponent teams’ cups too.
“If you find yourself drinking a lot you might want to work on your technique,” Charles Keeranan said, a college student who plays beer pong often. “Make sure you choose the right throwing side and remember to be gentle with the ball, the target is only a few feet away.”
